Amore - Chocolate Biscottini - Oct. 4, 2013

Chocolate of the Day: 

Amore, Inc.
Glutenetto - Asst. Biscottini (Chocolate and Almond)
Good
Weight: 1.33 oz. (37 g.) (estimate) in 2 cookies / 6 oz. (170 g.) in total container
Calories: 160 calories (estimate) in 2 cookies
Cost: $8.99 for 1 container of 9 cookies
Purchased from: Piazza's Fine Foods, Palo Alto, CA

Today was Day #4 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

Firm, bar-shaped, Italian-style biscotti cookies have a longer shelf-life than many cookies, and are sometimes used for dunking in cappuccino or are nibbled on with a tiny glass of Vin Santo (Italian dessert wine).

Today's gluten-free Chocolate (and Almond) Biscottino from Amore, Inc. (Vista, CA) were crunchy, slightly crumbly, and stood up to a dip in some sherry -- the closest thing I had to Vin Santo.

Liz Lovely - Chocolate Moose Cookie - Oct. 3, 2014

Chocolate of the Day:

Liz Lovely, Inc.
Chocolate Moose Dragon - Chocolate Fudge Cookie
Good - Good +
Weight: 3.17 oz. (90 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 380 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.50 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #3 of Chocolate and Gluten Free Cookie Theme Week.

This Chocolate Moose Dragon - Chocolate Fudge Cookie was designed by Liz Lovely, Inc. (Waitsfield, VT). This dark, fudgey and crumbly cookie was covered with sparkling sugar crystals.

I would suggest eating this tasty, individually-wrapped cookie over a plate or napkin -- to catch the gluten free, dairy free, egg free, kosher/pareve, Non-GMO crumbs.

Liz Lovely - Gluten Free Cowgirl Cookie - Oct. 2, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Liz Lovely, Inc.
Gluten Free Cowgirl Cookie - Soft Baked Chocolate Chip
Good
Weight: 3.17 oz. (90 g.) in 1 cookie
Calories: 420 calories in 1 cookie
Cost: $2.50 for 1 cookie
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #2 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

This generously sized, soft baked chocolate chip Cowgirl Cookie from Liz Lovely, Inc. (Waitsfield, VT) was gently striped with chocolate.

This is a noteworthy item for people with dietary restrictions. And, weighing in at 420 calories in 1 individually-wrapped cookie, this gluten free, dairy free, egg free, Non-GMO, vegan and kosher treat is a substantial dessert or snack.

Given that this cookie was crafted without egg or gluten, it held together well and had a rich, satisfying texture (not too crumbly or mealy). 

Baba Joon's - Roasted Peanut cookies - Oct. 1, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Baba Joon's
Roasted Peanut Chocolate Chewies
Good
Weight: .918 oz. (26 g.) for 2 cookies / 7.5 oz. (212.25 g.) in total container
Calories: 120 calories in 2 cookies
Cost: $6.50 for 1 container
Purchased from: Baba Joon's, online order

Today was Day #1 of Chocolate and Gluten-Free Cookie Theme Week.

These small Roasted Peanut Little Chocolate Miracles ("Chocolate Chewies") from Baba Joon's (Morgan Hill, CA) were fairly light, gluten-free, dairy free and preservative free.

Baba Joon's takes "gluten-free" a step further than many baking operations by making their chocolate chewies in a dedicated gluten-free facility.

These chocolate cookies were perfect as a light snack. They were also just the right size for a custom-made ice cream cookie sandwich. They were stable/solid enough so that they didn't crumble into pieces when being handled. Or, take two cookies and make a chocolate peanut butter sandwich. (Peanut butter and fresh strawberry jam might work as a filling as well.)

MarieBelle - Caramelized Almond Bark bar - Sept. 30, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

MarieBelle New York
Caramelized Almond Bark bar
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) / 2.82 oz. (80 g.) in total bar
Calories: 207 calories for 1/2 bar
Cost: $ N/A - present
Purchased from: N/A - present (from NYC)

Today was the last day (Day #7) of Chocolate, Brittle and Bark Theme Week.

Thank you to Elana for this gift -- a Caramelized Almond Bar chocolate bar from MarieBelle New York (NYC, NY). This bar conjured up very fond memories of the cozy and beautiful MarieBelle retail space in SoHo.

I spent at least one hour there during a trip to Manhattan a few years ago. Bought some chocolate tea too as I recall. It was equal parts creative, relaxing and invigorating.

Once again, food, place and time has colored my food (and chocolate) memories.

Fair trade chocolate enveloped bits of caramelized Spanish almonds to make a smooth, sweet chocolate bark bar. 

Divine Organics - Hawaiian Mac Nut Brittle - Sept. 29, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Divine Organics Raw Chocolate
(Transition Nutrition)
Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Brittle
Good
Weight: 1.6 oz. (45.3 g.) in total package
Calories: 300 calories in 1 package
Cost: $7.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #6 of Chocolate, Brittle and Bark Theme Week.

This organic and raw Divine Organic Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Brittle (Novato, CA) made for a great snack during a hike today at Point Reyes (next to the Pacific Ocean, where there was a herd of elk to admire from a distance).


Like other members of the Divine Organics brittle family, I enjoyed the slight maple flavor note from organic maple sugar used as a sweetener, and the inclusions -- in this case raw, Hawaiian macadamia nut pieces. 

Divine Organics - Crunchy Cashew Brittle - Sept. 27, 2014

Chocolate of the Day: 

Divine Organics
(Distributed by Transition Nutrition)
Crunchy Cashew Brittle
Good
Weight: .8 oz. (22.65 g.) /.6 oz. (45.3 g. ) in total package
Calories: 125 calories in 1/2 package
Cost: $7.95 for 1 package
Purchased from: SweetE Organic, Mill Valley, CA

Today was Day #5 of Chocolate and Brittle Theme Week.

This Crunchy Cashew Brittle from Divine Organics (Transition Nutrition) (Novato, CA) hit the spot today while on a bus ride -- to visit two organic farms in Northern California. In between bites of organic, raw fruits and vegetables, we nibbled on pieces of organic raw chocolate brittle with raw cashews.

Maple sugar proved to be a very pleasing sweetener. And raw cashew bits provided some pleasant crunchy texture, but were easily overwhelmed by the dark chocolate.